Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes.council.19720120Special Meeting Aspen City Council January 20, 1972 Meeting was called to order by Mayor Eve Homeyer at'6:00 p~m. with~Councilmen Scott Nystmom, William Comcowich, Ross ~Griffin, Ramona Markatunas, Jack Walls, Francis Whitaker and City Manager Leon Wurl, Meeting called by the entire Council on the question of the Olympics. Olympics The following Resolution #1, Series of 1972 was read by Councilman Comcowich and intro- duced by Councilman Comcowich: RESOLUTION NO. 1 Series of't972 WHEREAS, a general proposal~has been made'to hold the Alpine' Events for the 1976 Winter Olympics in the City of Aspen and its immediate environs. AND WHEREAS, this general proposal is predicated on favorable action by the Inter- national Olympic Committee allowing .the Denver olympic Committee to disperse the Alpine Events from the central Denver location. AND WHEREAS, no action has thus far been taken in. which the International Olympic Committee could make specific proposals to the City~ NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: The City Council for the City of Aspen herevy conditionally endorses the general concept of the proposal to .host the 1976 Olympic Alpine Events (doWnhill, giant slalom] and slalom skiing) in Aspen, Colorado and its immediate vicinity, subject to the followin conditions having been met: 1. That the Internationl Olympic Committee shall approve dispersal of the events such that Aspen shall host ONLY the Alpine Events (doWnhill, giant ~lalom and s la lorn). 2. That the International Olympic Committee approval for the'Aapen site SHALL NOT require the~ construction of an Olympic Village or Other like competit6~rf~cilities. 3. That,approval of the Aspen Site shall not require any substantail con- struction of additional course locations or associated'facilities. 4. That the Aspen Skiing Corporation and/or the State of Colorado, and/or the United States Government shall consumate'sp'ecific agreements with the Cit~vof ~spen an4/or Pitkin County Commissioners for joint funding of a transportation system. 5. That the enti=e County of Pitkin shall be zoned; and that meaningful County Subdivisions Regulations a~d/or other~adequate growth controls shall h~ve been enacted for protection of the Roaning Fork Valley from uncontrolled 'devet~opment. 6. That the Denver Olympic Committee shall meet with the City and County elected officials with a specific proposal adceptable'to the City Council. Councilman Comcowich moved to adopt Resolution ~1,. Series of 1972. Seconded by Councilman Nystrom. Councilman Comcowich stated he is introducing the Resolution for consideration by Council after listening to the citizens at two public hearings, Feel ghosetha:t are opposed ~nd those that are for are not that far apart and felt that many of the people feel there would be some good but felt they had to oppose the issue. The issue did not appear ~to be an Olympic pro or con fight but an actoof the problem of developed growth of the ~alley. Second thing considered in drafting the resolution was tourism versus non tourism attitud~ Citizens must realize the budgets from which the City and County work and 70% of the work capital comes from the tourists. Ask that citizens think about what happens if the area perpetrates this kind o~ attitude towards tourism. Who will pay the bills, if we become a non tourist town. There are those who say keept the town just the way it is. Problem with this is if the tourists stop supporting the community are we willing to pay the taxes. We have not gotten the job done but look at the Olympic Alpine events as a tool to solving the problems. Governement by referendum is inefficient. There was a referendum on the highway and those people opposed lost and if you believe in referendums then that battle is over. Would' l~ke to see al~ gr+oups come together and work on the problems~as outlined in the Resolution. Feel with good attorneys, working on positive approaches~,' we could take 50% of the land out of development in this valley. Councilman Griffin stated if this is to be such a small event, do not see how we will get funds for transportation. Why don't we do something about more business in the summer Councilman Griffin moved to amend the resolution to read that we do not allow the use of any City funds in any manner in connection with the 1976 Alpine Olympics. Seconded by Councilman Whitaker. 1279 Olympics Councilman Whitaker stated he did'not think the DOC or the IOC would pay any attention to this resolution. Agree with zoning of the coun~y~ The solution to problems requires funds and we do not have the funds this year. Councilman Comcowich stated that if the conditions as outlimed in the Resolution are not met then the City will not endorse the Alpine events in Aspen. Councilman Walls stated the amendment says no funds from the City but in case we do get funds for transportation, we will be required either to mmtch or put up a-percentage of thc amount. Amendment - Roll call vote - Councilmen Nsytrom nay; Comcowich nay; Griffin aye; Mark- alu~as nay; Walls nay; Whitaker aye; Mayor Homeyer nay. Motion not carried. Councilman Markalunas stated she felt we had the fadilities etc, but would ha~e to vote against the resolution because she felt the people do not want the events here~ Councilman Walls again stated his position by saying that he feels the town has worked into a negative position rather than a positive one. Look at this issue as a tool to solving the problems. If the town is hoping for any transportation system connecting the areas, it will not be accomplished by taxpayers alone. This City and County work best when under pressure. Roll call vote - Councilmen Whitaker may; NystCom aye; Comcowich aye; Walls aye; Markaluna~ nay; Griffin nay. Mayor Homeyer read statement from the Directors of the Pitkin County Park Association saying they were opposed. The Mayor further stated she was offened by the DOC ignoring the City and the County but want that transportation system and willing to give the DOC a cert~ain length of time to contact the City. Willing to give them 30 days to see if they are willing to talk and see if t~ey are serious and see if they are Willing to do what is asked of them in the resolution. Mayor Homeyer aye. Motion carried. Mr. T~m Benton stated the petition requires studies and answers. The City Council has brought on themselves government by initiative referendum because they are failing to listen to the pe'ople. We feel we are being positive. This issue has brought together a cross section of the community. Feel forced to file the petition tomorrow. Discussed the petition being withheld and not filed until after the decision is made. It was determined there would still be time to withdraw the petition prior to the election date. Councilman Whitaker moved to adjourn at 7:10 p.m., seconded by Counilman Walls. Ail in favor, meeting adjourned.- Lorraine Graves, City Clerk